Hugh Jackman recently revealed how he escaped deportation to Australia in 2000. The acting veteran is known for his almost two decades role as the “X Men” character, Wolverine. His other shows include “The Greatest Showman,” “Prisoners,” “Bad Education,” and several others.
The two-time Tony Award, Grammy Award, and Emmy Awardee recently returned to Broadway for the role of “Professor” Harold Hill in the popular musical “The Music Man.” The Broadway revival is regarded as one of the most treasured productions of the American theater. After premiering in 1957, it bagged five Tony awards and ran for 1,375 performances.
In his recent interview, the Broadway veteran revealed that he was almost deported back in 2000. Apparently, what helped him was his role as Wolverine in the “X Men” franchise and the customs officer’s love for the comic series at the time.
Hugh Jackman Was Advised To Lie To Customs About ‘X Men’ Role
MEGAJackman recently appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s “The Tonight Show,” which had Jimmy Kimmel in the host’s seat as an April Fools’ Day joke. In the interview, the “Logan” actor touched on areas concerning his time auditioning for Wolverine in “X Men” and his current Broadway musical, “The Music Man.”
The 53-year-old revealed that he used his famous Wolverine role to sidestep possible deportation to Australia. Jackson admitted that he was traveling between Los Angeles and Toronto without a visa. The first “X Men” movie in 2000 was shot in that location.
The Broadway veteran said he was initially advised to lie about auditioning for the movie role to get through customs. Jackman has already earned the part by that time. He ended up not being able to lie when the time came.
Hugh Jackman Said The Customs Agent Was A ‘Mad X Men Fan’
Although the actor described the customs agent as “nerdy” in the interview, Jackman revealed that he couldn’t lie when he started asking questions. “I’m like, swear just pouring down, and I literally then said, ‘No, no, it’s not audition. I’ve got the part.’ I just broke. It was pathetic,” he said.
After Jackman was made to wait in the back room at the airport, he explained that the movie he would star in was the live-action remake of the famous “X Men” animated series. This ended up working in his favor.
The customs officer apparently let the actor go after signing some autographs and a police escort in tow. Jackman said, “He was a mad ‘X Men’ fan, and that’s the only reason I ended up getting the part.”
Jackman To Star In Broadway Musical, ‘The Music Man’
MEGAWhile talking to Kimmel, Jackson also mentioned his latest acting role is as “Professor” Harold Hill in “The Music Man.” The actor will play alongside Foster. He revealed that he got a gift from Ryan Reynolds backstage, a picture of the “Deadpool” actor with a note that read, “Good luck with your little show. I’ll be watching.”
When talking about the show, he said, “We’re just having the best time. The Winter Garden Theatre is just filled with joy. This show is filled with joy, but you can feel that the audience is happy to be back.”
Jackson also mentioned his time with Sutton Foster, his co-star. “Sutton Foster, I think, is the greatest in the world at what she does, which is seemingly everything. It’s like every night I go to an All-Star game where everyone is actually trying.”
‘A Music Man’ Was First Performed In 1957
MEGAThe first rendition of ‘A Music Man’ first opened on Broadway in 1957. The film was set in 1912, and the book, lyrics and music were all written by Meredith Wilson. Jackson’s role as “Professor” Harold Hill is considered one of the most significant roles in the history of musical theater.
Hill is a con man impersonating a traveling salesman. He moved to a small Iowa town and tried to exploit its inhabitants by promising civic improvement via a boys’ marching band with musical instruments, uniforms, and band instructions.
Two-time Tony Award-winning superstar Foster played the sharp-tongued town librarian, Marian Paroo. Unlike the rest of the townfolk, she isn’t as easily deceived and sees through the con man’s ruse. Despite initially spurning his advances, the two end up together after Hill gives up his con-man ways and sets up a real boy’s marching band.
